Sudan: Swiss Solidarity is holding a National Day of Solidarity today

Hunger threatens millions of lives

After more than three years of war, Sudan is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Nearly 20 million people are suffering from hunger. In a joint statement published on 23 October, more than 30 countries, including Switzerland, warned of the worsening food crisis and the risk of famine. According to the latest analyses, several regions in Darfur and Kordofan are particularly at risk. Drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, affecting more than half of the country, is further aggravating the situation, reducing harvests and driving up food prices. More than a quarter of the population has been forced to flee the violence, either within Sudan or to neighbouring countries, particularly Chad and South Sudan.

At the same time, humanitarian organisations are facing an increasing shortage of funds to provide the assistance that people so desperately need. In Sudan and neighbouring countries, some organisations have already been forced to cut food assistance, even though millions of people depend on it for survival. The UN warns that, without urgent additional funding, humanitarian stocks of food and nutritional supplies could be depleted by early 2027.

Donations make life-saving assistance possible

Since the beginning of the conflict, Swiss Solidarity has been supporting affected populations by funding humanitarian projects implemented by its Swiss partner organisations in Sudan, Chad and South Sudan.

Thanks to the donations collected, these organisations can continue and scale up their assistance. They provide food, clean drinking water, shelter and essential supplies, deliver medical care, and offer protection and psychosocial support to the most vulnerable people.

Miren Bengoa, Director of Swiss Solidarity, says: “In Sudan, millions of people are struggling to survive, while humanitarian organisations have fewer and fewer resources at their disposal. Yet help is possible: our Swiss partner organisations are present on the ground and ready to act. Every donation helps provide people with the life-saving support they so urgently need.”

Today, Switzerland comes together in solidarity

President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin kicks off the National Day of Solidarity on SRG SSR's airwaves. Throughout the day, programmes will accompany this nationwide mobilisation, highlighting the humanitarian situation and the assistance being provided on the ground. At the telephone centres in Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Chur, numerous volunteers and well-known personalities are taking turns to receive donation pledges.

How to donate today:

• By phone, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.: 0800 87 07 07 (toll-free number)

• Online:www.swiss-solidarity.ch

• At any Swiss post office: with the reference "Sudan Emergency"